Definition: Works consisting of studies using a quantitative method of combining the results of independent studies (usually drawn from the published literature) and synthesizing summaries and conclusions which may be used to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness, plan new studies, etc. It is often an overview of clinical trials. It is usually called a meta-analysis by the author or sponsoring body and should be differentiated from reviews of literature.
this heading is used as a Publication Type; for original report of the conduct or results of a specific meta-analysis study; a different heading META-ANALYSIS AS TOPIC is used for general design, methodology, economics, etc of meta-analyses
